Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said it will take “some days” to bring back Army soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who is in Pakistan’s custody after inadvertently crossing the Line of Control, and a “well-established” mechanism has been activated to secure his release.
“He had crossed over which happens in border areas. There is a well-established mechanism through DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) which has been activated,” Parrikar said in Pune today.
“Since the situation is tense right now, it will take some days to bring the soldier back,” the Minister added.
Parrikar stressed there is no relation between the surgical strikes carried out by the Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the soldier crossing the border inadvertently.
On September 30, 22-year-old Chandu Babulal Chavan from 37 Rashtriya Rifles crossed over to the other side of the Line of Control and was taken into custody by Pakistan. The Indian Army informed Pakistan of the incident.
“Such inadvertent crossing by Army and civilians are not unusual on either side. They are returned through existing mechanisms,” the army said.
Earlier on Friday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said all attempts were being to free the soldier from Pakistani captivity.